Anti-rotation and pull resistant fastener inserts

ABSTRACT

An insert according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body extending along an axis between a proximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of tabs that protrude radially outwardly from an outermost surface of the body at a location between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/451,483,which was filed on Aug. 5, 2014.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a variety of inserts that can be utilizedwithin a fastener assembly for securing objects together. The insertsinclude anti-rotation and pull-out resistance features designed toimprove the integrity of the insert within a substrate of the fastenerassembly.

BACKGROUND

Fastener assemblies are used in various industries, including but notlimited to the automotive industry, to secure objects together. Oneknown fastener assembly includes a substrate and an insert embeddedwithin the substrate. The insert is configured to accept a fastener forattaching another structure to the substrate. Inserts and the substratesthey are housed in are often made of different types of materials, andthe substrate are often made of softer materials as compared to theinserts. Therefore, the inserts have a tendency to strip (i.e., rotatewithin the substrate) and/or pull out of the substrate when a fasteneris inserted into the insert and is subsequently torqued or stressed.

SUMMARY

An insert according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosureincludes, among other things, a body extending along an axis between aproximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of tabs thatprotrude radially outwardly from an outermost surface of the body at alocation between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing insert, theplurality of tabs are circumferentially distributed about the body.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the foregoing inserts,the body is cylindrical.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the plurality of tabs extend vertically in parallel to the axis of thebody.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the plurality of tabs include a length that spans an entire distancebetween the proximal portion and the distal portion.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the plurality of tabs include four tabs distributed every 90° about theoutermost surface.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the plurality of tabs are cross-shaped.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts, aconcave surface connects adjacent tabs of the plurality of tabs.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the plurality of tabs includes at least one anchor feature configured toreceive a material.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the plurality of tabs are configured as an annular ring and the anchorfeature includes a recess formed between an upper ring and a lower ringof the annular ring.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the anchor feature includes an opening formed through each of theplurality of tabs.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the body includes a plurality of flexible legs.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts,the plurality of tabs are arranged in vertical rows disposed along atleast a portion of the plurality of flexible legs, the plurality of tabsof each of the vertical rows extending circumferentially across a widthof the portion of the plurality of flexible legs.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts, acentral bore extends through the body and circumscribes the axis.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing inserts, atleast one of the proximal portion and the distal portion includes a lip.

A fastener assembly according to another exemplary aspect of the presentdisclosure includes, among other things, a substrate and an insertmounted within the substrate, the insert including a body extendingbetween a proximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of tabsthat protrude from the body. The outermost surfaces of the proximalportion and the distal portion are disposed in a first plane and theplurality of tabs extend to a second plane that is radially outward ofthe first plane.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing assembly, thesubstrate is made of a plastic or composite material and the insert ismade of a plastic material.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the foregoingassemblies, the substrate is made of a plastic or composite material andthe insert is made of a metallic material.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies,the insert is molded into the substrate.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing assemblies,the fastener assembly is part of a vehicle assembly.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs,the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any oftheir various aspects or respective individual features, may be takenindependently or in any combination. Features described in connectionwith one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless suchfeatures are incompatible.

The various features and advantages of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can bebriefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a fastener assembly.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate an insert according to a first embodimentof this disclosure.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate an insert according to a secondembodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate another insert.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate yet another insert.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate an insert according to yet anotherembodiment of this disclosure.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate yet another insert.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate an insert according to another embodimentof this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure details an insert for use within a fastener assembly.The fastener assembly may be employed in a variety of applications forsecuring objects together. The insert may include a body extending alonga longitudinal axis between a proximal portion and a distal portion. Aplurality of tabs protrude radially outwardly from an outermost surfaceof the body at a location between the proximal portion and the distalportion. The plurality of tabs extend into the surrounding material ofthe substrate to resist rotation and pull-out of the insert from withinthe substrate. These and other features are discussed in greater detailin the paragraphs that follow.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fastener assembly 10. The fastener assembly 10 mayinclude a substrate 12 and an insert 14 that is mounted within thesubstrate 12. In one non-limiting embodiment, the insert 14 is moldedinto the substrate 12. However, the insert 14 could be mounted to thesubstrate 12 in any known manner.

The insert 14 is configured to receive a fastener 16 to connect thesubstrate 12 and a separate structure 18 together. In one non-limitingembodiment, the fastener assembly 10 is part of a vehicle assembly. Forexample, the fastener assembly 10 could be part of a battery assembly ofan electrified vehicle. However, this disclosure is not limited tovehicle assemblies, and could extend to any other industry that maybenefit from mechanical connections. Stated another way, the fastenerassembly 10 could be used for any industrial application.

The substrate 12 and the insert 14 can be made of similar or dissimilarmaterials. In one embodiment, the substrate 12 is made of a plasticmaterial. In another embodiment, the substrate 12 is made of a compositematerial. The insert 14 may be made of plastic or metallic materials. Inone non-limiting embodiment, the substrate 12 is made of a material thatis generally softer than the material of the insert 14.

The insert 14 may embody a variety of design configurations that resistrotation relative to the substrate 12 and/or resist pull-out of theinsert 14 from the substrate 12. Multiple embodiments of inserts areillustrated in FIGS. 2-8, and are further detailed below.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate an insert 14 according to a firstembodiment of this disclosure. The insert 14 includes a body 20 thatextends along a longitudinal axis A between a proximal portion 22 and adistal portion 24. In one embodiment, the body 20 is cylindrical.However, other shapes are also contemplated.

A central bore 50 extends through the body 20 of the insert 14 andcircumscribes the longitudinal axis A. The central bore 50 is configuredto receive a shaft of a fastener (see, for example, fastener 16 of FIG.1). In one embodiment, the central bore 50 is threaded and may receive athreaded shaft of a fastener.

The body 20 includes an outermost surface 26. In one embodiment, theoutermost surface 26 is a circumferential surface. A plurality of tabs28 extend radially outward of the outermost surface 26 at a locationbetween the proximal portion 22 and the distal portion 24. The tabs 28may extend any distance from the outermost surface 26. In oneembodiment, outermost surfaces of the proximal portion 22 and the distalportion 24 are disposed in a first plane P1 and the tabs 28 extend to asecond plane P2 that is radially outward of the first plane P1 (see FIG.2A).

In one embodiment, the tabs 28 are evenly distributed circumferentiallyabout the outermost surface 26. In the illustrated embodiment, theinsert 14 includes a total of eight evenly distributed tabs 28. However,other configurations are also contemplated (see, for example,configurations of FIGS. 3-8).

In one embodiment, the tabs 28 include a length L1 that is less than anoverall length L2 of the body 20 from the proximal portion 22 to thedistal portion 24. The length L1 of the tabs 28 extends longitudinallyin parallel to the axis A. When mounted in the substrate 12 (see FIG.1), the tabs 28 extend into the material of the substrate 12 to resistrotation in either a clockwise direction C1 or a counter-clockwisedirection C2 (see FIG. 2C) and resist pull-out of the insert 14 indirections D1 or D2 (see FIG. 2A).

In another embodiment, the proximal portion 22, the distal portion 24,or both include a lip 30. The lip 30 may facilitate increased pull-outresistance of the insert 14. For example, material from the substrate 12may be received within an annular slot 32 established by the lip 30 toincrease the pull out resistance of the insert 14.

The body 20 of the insert 14 may further include one or more additionalannular slots 52 that extend radially inward of the outermost surface26. In one embodiment, the tabs 28 are disposed between annular slots52. The annular slots 52 may further facilitate pull-out resistance ofthe insert 14.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate another exemplary insert 114. In thisdisclosure, like reference numbers designate like elements whereappropriate and reference numerals with the addition of 100 or multiplesthereof designate modified elements that are understood to incorporatethe same features and benefits of the corresponding original elements.

The insert 114 includes a body 120 that extends along a longitudinalaxis A between a proximal portion 122 and a distal portion 124. Acentral bore 150 extends through the body 120 of the insert 114 andcircumscribes the longitudinal axis A. A plurality of tabs 128 extendradially outwardly from an outermost surface 126 of the body 120. In theillustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the insert 114 includes seven tabs128 that are equidistantly spaced circumferentially about the outermostsurface 126 of the body 120.

In one embodiment, the tabs 128 are configured as a ring of radiallyprotruding tabs that are each connected to one another by concavesurfaces 134. Stated another way, the concave surfaces 134 may connectbetween adjacent tabs 128. The concave surfaces 134 are curved in adirection that faces away from the outermost surface 126 of the body120, in one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate another insert 214 that provides improvedresistance to rotation and pull-out within a substrate. The insert 214includes a body 220 that extends along a longitudinal axis A between aproximal portion 222 and a distal portion 224. A central bore 250extends through the body 220 of the insert 214 and circumscribes thelongitudinal axis A. A plurality of tabs 228 extend radially outward ofan outermost surface 226 of the body 220.

In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a total of four tabs 228are spaced apart from one another by 90° about the outermost surface 226of the body 220. The proximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 mayeach include lips 230 that establish annular slots 232 disposed oneither side of the tabs 228. In one embodiment, the tabs 228 include alength L that spans an entire distance D between the lips 230 of theproximal portion 222 and the distal portion 224 (see FIG. 4A). Endsurfaces 260 of the tabs 228 may include beveled edges 262 (see FIG.4B).

Another insert 314 is illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C. The insert 314includes a body 320 that extends along a longitudinal axis A between aproximal portion 322 and a distal portion 324. A central bore 350extends through the body 320 of the insert 314 and circumscribes thelongitudinal axis A. A plurality of tabs 328 extend radially outward ofan outermost surface 326 of the body 320.

In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the tabs 328 are equallydistributed circumferentially about the outermost surface 326. The tabs328 are cross shaped, in one non-limiting embodiment, and may eachinclude a horizontal portion 370 and a vertical portion 372.

The proximal portion 322 and the distal portion 324 may include lips330. The lips 330 form annular slots 332 to increase the pull outresistance of the insert 314. Additional annular slots 352 extendradially inward of the outermost surface 326. In one embodiment, thetabs 328 are disposed longitudinally between the annular slots 352.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate another insert 414. The insert 414includes a body 420 that extends along an axis A between a proximalportion 422 and a distal portion 424. A central bore 450 extends throughthe body 420 of the insert 414 and circumscribes the longitudinal axisA. Tabs 428 extend radially outward of an outermost surface 426 of thebody 420.

In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the tabs 428 are configuredas an annular ring 480 that surrounds the outermost surface 426. Theannular ring 480 may include an upper ring 482 and a lower ring 484. Inone embodiment, the upper ring 482 defines a concave surface 486 and thelower ring 484 defines a convex surface 488 (see FIG. 6C). Recesses 490may be formed between outer lips 492 of the upper ring 482 and the lowerring 484. In one embodiment, the outer lips 492 are located where theconcave surface 486 and the convex surface 488 are diverged from oneanother by the greatest distance. The recesses 490, which may beoval-shaped, act as anchor features that can receive material of asubstrate to increase the pull-out and torque resistance of the insert414. For example, material of the substrate may be molded inside therecesses 490 during formation of a fastener assembly to maximizepull-out and torque resistance of the insert 414.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate another exemplary insert 514. The insert514 includes a body 520 that extends along an axis A between a proximalportion 522 and a distal portion 524. A central bore 550 extends throughthe body 520 of the insert 514 and circumscribes the longitudinal axisA. Tabs 528 extend radially outward of an outermost surface 526 of thebody 520.

In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the tabs 528 are configuredas an annular ring 580 that circumscribes the outermost surface 526.Each tab 528 includes an opening 598 that extends through the annularring 580. The openings 598 act as anchor features that can receivematerial of a substrate to increase the pull-out and torque resistanceof the insert 514. For example, material of the substrate may be moldedinside the openings 598 during formation of a fastener assembly tomaximize pull-out and torque resistance of the insert 514.

An insert 614 according to another embodiment of this disclosure isillustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C. The exemplary insert 614 includes abody 620 that extends along an axis A between a proximal portion 622 anda distal portion 624. A central bore 650 extends through the body 620 ofthe insert 614 and circumscribes the axis A. The body 620 includes anoutermost surface 626. A plurality of tabs 628 extend radially outwardlyfrom the outermost surface 626.

The body 620 may include a first plurality of legs 640A and a secondplurality of legs 640B that extend in parallel to the axis A. The legs640A and the legs 640 may be disposed in an alternating pattern aboutthe body 620 (i.e., a leg 640A, a leg 640B, another leg 640A, and soon). In one embodiment, the first plurality of legs 640 include tabs 628and the second plurality of legs 640B lack any tabs 628. In other words,in one embodiment, the tabs 628 are disposed on every other leg of thebody 620.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the tabs 628 are arranged in avertically extending row along a length L of each leg 640A. Each tab 628may extend circumferentially across a width W of each leg 640A (see FIG.8A).

In another embodiment, the legs 640A and the legs 640B are bothflexible. For example, the legs 640A and the legs 640B may expandradially outwardly into a surrounding material of a substrate as afastener 16 (see FIG. 8A) is inserted through the central bore 650 ofthe insert 614, thereby increasing pull-out and torque resistance of theinsert 614.

Although the different non-limiting embodiments are illustrated ashaving specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosureare not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to usesome of the components or features from any of the non-limitingembodiments in combination with features or components from any of theother non-limiting embodiments.

It should be understood that like reference numerals identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. Itshould be understood that although a particular component arrangement isdisclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, otherarrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that certain modifications could come within the scope ofthis disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should bestudied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insert, comprising: a body extending along anaxis between a proximal portion and a distal portion; a plurality oftabs that protrude radially outwardly from an outermost surface of saidbody at a location between said proximal portion and said distalportion; and a first annular slot between said plurality of tabs andsaid proximal portion or said distal portion.
 2. The insert as recitedin claim 1, wherein end surfaces of each of said plurality of tabsinclude beveled edges.
 3. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein saidbody includes a first plurality of legs and a second plurality of legsdisposed in an alternating fashion, and said first plurality of legseach include at least one of said plurality of tabs and said secondplurality of legs lacks any of said plurality of tabs.
 4. The insert asrecited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of tabs extend vertically inparallel to said axis of said body.
 5. The insert as recited in claim 1,wherein said plurality of tabs include a length that spans an entiredistance between said proximal portion and said distal portion.
 6. Theinsert as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of tabs includefour tabs distributed every 90° about said outermost surface.
 7. Theinsert as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of tabs arecross-shaped.
 8. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein a concavesurface connects adjacent tabs of said plurality of tabs.
 9. The insertas recited in claim 1, wherein a central bore of said body is threaded.10. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein said body includes aplurality of flexible legs.
 11. The insert as recited in claim 10,wherein said plurality of tabs are arranged in vertical rows disposedalong at least a portion of said plurality of flexible legs, saidplurality of tabs of each of said vertical rows extendingcircumferentially across a width of said portion of said plurality offlexible legs.
 12. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein saidplurality of tabs include seven tabs distributed equidistantly aboutsaid outermost surface.
 13. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein atleast one of said proximal portion and said distal portion includes alip.
 14. The insert as recited in claim 1, wherein said first annularslot is positioned between said plurality of tabs and said proximalportion and comprising a second annular slot positioned between saidplurality of tabs and said distal portion.
 15. A fastener assembly,comprising: a substrate; and an insert mounted within said substrate,said insert including a body extending between a proximal portion and adistal portion and a plurality of tabs that protrude from said body,wherein outermost surfaces of said proximal portion and said distalportion are disposed in a first plane and said plurality of tabs extendto a second plane that is radially outward of said first plane.
 16. Theassembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said substrate is made of aplastic or composite material and said insert is made of a plasticmaterial.
 17. The assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein saidsubstrate is made of a plastic or composite material and said insert ismade of a metallic material.
 18. The assembly as recited in claim 15,wherein said insert is molded into said substrate.
 19. The assembly asrecited in claim 15, wherein said fastener assembly is part of a vehicleassembly.
 20. The assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said insertincludes an annular slot disposed between said plurality of tabs andeither said proximal portion or said distal portion.